It is a sweet gesture but isn't it common standard to send such replies to letters send to the royals? I mean, lots of letters are sent to the RF members every day and their teams write and sign the replies. I doubt Kate even saw the letter this girl wrote, it is not even signed by her.

Another William & Kate cover for People magazine. As much as I wish those two the best, this was not a good move for People. Three people died this week - Thatcher, Ebert and Funicello - and they don't get the cover? I would think Annette Funicello would because so many Americans grew up with her and she suffered for a long time with MS.

This recent edition of People reminds of when Diana was alive - every time she sneezed, she was on the cover. (Not literally, but she was the main story each week far too often)

As she looks forward to furnishing two new homes, the Duchess of Cambridge was on the hunt for bargains over the weekend.
Kate and a group of friends descended on the antique shops of Holt and nearby Fakenham in north Norfolk on Saturday.
The towns are close to Anmer Hall, which has been widely tipped as the Duchess and Prince William’s home after the birth of their baby in July.
At the same time the couple will shortly be moving into their new London base at Kensington Palace.
By visiting Holt, Kate is following in the footsteps of her stepmother-in-law, the Duchess of Cornwall, who likes to shop there.
However, the six-months pregnant Duchess left Mews Antique Emporium, which sells furniture, books and collectibles, empty-handed.
She spent 30 minutes looking in all 11 rooms, but failed to find anything to catch her eye.
A friend explains: ‘Kate has good taste but she prefers a more contemporary style.’
Says a spokesman for the Emporium: ‘The Duchess looked radiant and well. She was happy to mingle with other customers and security was very low key.
‘No purchases were made by the Duchess, although some were made by her friends.’

Another William & Kate cover for People magazine. As much as I wish those two the best, this was not a good move for People. Three people died this week - Thatcher, Ebert and Funicello - and they don't get the cover? I would think Annette Funicello would because so many Americans grew up with her and she suffered for a long time with MS.

This recent edition of People reminds of when Diana was alive - every time she sneezed, she was on the cover. (Not literally, but she was the main story each week far too often)

Actually, it was four, as Jonathan Winters passed away Thursday/Friday, but it would have been too late as this week's issue had already gone to the printers when that sad news broke. I am really surprised Annette's passing isn't the cover story, as it was People she chose as the magazine to let the World know about her MS.

I get the Cambridges' and the baby/baby bump is big right now for the celebrity "press", but this really saddens me.

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Actually, it was four, as Jonathan Winters passed away Thursday/Friday, but it would have been too late as this week's issue had already gone to the printers when that sad news broke. I am really surprised Annette's passing isn't the cover story, as it was People she chose as the magazine to let the World know about her MS.

I get the Cambridges' and the baby/baby bump is big right now for the celebrity "press", but this really saddens me.

I just read this issue.... Annette Funicello not included at all; probably they had gone to press already. Next issue is supposed to be most beautiful people (always a best seller) but she may make an inset.

Kate is listed in the 'Icon' section and is the only royal on the list that I can see.

An interesting assessment from Sally Bedell Smith for Time magazine. I've been enjoying her biography of The Queen lately. As an American I think she brings something a little different to the topic when compared with the usual British writers.

Well exactly. I would be very surprised that any mother sending their child to Marlborough would find this to be intimidating. It is not exactly a state school in an economically depressed area.

It honestly sounds like the lady was trying to say something complimentary and it got taken out of context and twisted into something ridiculous.

I don't think it's uncommon for people to be self-deprecating while complimenting someone else. It sounded like she was just trying to say that the Middleton sisters were gorgeous and Carole was a very involved mother.

Honestly, if that's the worst the media can find on the Middletons, they really need to just give it up already. They've been trying to smear those people for ten years and still haven't come up with any dirt.

I went to a school that took private, state aided( on the grounds of religion) and boarders.

Every item of clothing had to have name tags - these were pre-ordered and stitched in; names were written onto other items, ie hockey boots; initials in house colours were also embroidered onto aertex shirts (to help PE teachers sort out house games).

It was normal stuff.

The woman who contributed to this article probably made a joke and the journalist created an "event" out of it. THe poor woman now has her head in her hands, is bright red (house colour??) and keeps saying - its was a joke; a joke; a joke. It has all the hallmarks of some crappy disgusting journalist taking an innocent woman for a ride.

It is awful. And I feel sorry for her if this is the case.

As for Carole Middleton. All the woman has done is:

- Work Hard
- Marry (and stay married) to the man she loves
- bring up 3 children as well as she is able
- instill self belief and pride in her children
- love and protect her children
- make money in partnership with her husband
- make a Prince feel at home and cherished

What the hell is wrong with any of that???

EDIT: Forgot to add- has never spoken to the press and has shown more discretion than a number of members of royalty and nobility. She should be commended.

__________________

This precious stone set in the silver sea,......This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England,

I went to a school that took private, state aided( on the grounds of religion) and boarders.

Every item of clothing had to have name tags - these were pre-ordered and stitched in; names were written onto other items, ie hockey boots; initials in house colours were also embroidered onto aertex shirts (to help PE teachers sort out house games).

It was normal stuff.

The woman who contributed to this article probably made a joke and the journalist created an "event" out of it. THe poor woman now has her head in her hands, is bright red (house colour??) and keeps saying - its was a joke; a joke; a joke. It has all the hallmarks of some crappy disgusting journalist taking an innocent woman for a ride.

It is awful. And I feel sorry for her if this is the case.

As for Carole Middleton. All the woman has done is:

- Work Hard
- Marry (and stay married) to the man she loves
- bring up 3 children as well as she is able
- instill self belief and pride in her children
- love and protect her children
- make money in partnership with her husband
- make a Prince feel at home and cherished

What the hell is wrong with any of that???

I have always thought there was an element in envy involved in the dislike for Carole. As in "rats, we lost to her?" I think you are correct that she's a motivated, effective woman in all areas of her life and that she deserves respect for her accomplishments.

It's odd that other than the "Dad dresses up at Christmas" stories, no one ever talks about Michael - much less slam him. It must be OK for men to raise successful children